The Welsh midfielder has been criticised since moving to the club…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Joe Allen was great value for the £15 million he paid Swansea for him, citing injury problems as having curtailed his ability this season.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match at Anfield against Burnley, Rodgers also mentioned injuries, their opponents and in-form Philippe Coutinho.
On Joe Allen, the Liverpool manager said, “I think with Joe it’s been difficult. He’s been injured this year and that’s curtailed his ability. We paid £15m for him and I believe that was great value for us. He’s a player I rate immensely highly.”
The 24-year-old Welshman has made 20 appearances for the Reds this season, neither scoring nor making any assists.
In contrast, his Brazilian midfield partner, Coutinho, who has come into blistering form recently, has scored five and assisted four.
Rodgers said, “He’ll be up there [for Premier League best player]. He’s scoring some fantastic goals, and for him there’s still improvements to come.”
The Ulsterman also claimed he was impressed with relegation threatened Burnley, shunning the attitude that it should be an easy win for Liverpool saying, “They’re a good side. They’ll be pushing all the way until the end. It’s a big game for them off the back of their result at the weekend.”
Liverpool go into Wednesday’s game sitting fifth in the table, two points off fourth placed Manchester United, having been in sensational form since the turn of the year, taking 2.5 points per game in 2015.